1. Early Labor Unions

2. Labor Union—organization of workers that come together to collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and conditions.
First major national union: National Labor Union (1866)

3. Knights of Labor (1869) Famous Leader: Terence Powderly
Preferred boycotts and arbitration to strikes
Allowed both women and blacks, skilled and unskilled labor
Main goals:
8-hour workday
Equal pay for women
Abolition of child labor

4. Haymarket Riot (May 4, 1886) National strike for 8-hour workday called
Meeting in Chicago at Haymarket Square for leaders
Police move in, a bomb was thrown
Several people killed, including a police officer
Knights of Labor blamed, union declines

5. The Great Railroad Strike (July 1877)
B&O RR announced wage cuts, national strike breaks out
80,000 railroad workers go on strike
Violent incidents in Martinsburg, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh
President Hayes calls out federal troops to put down the strike

6. Homestead Strike (July 1892)
Carnegie Steel refuses to bargain with union.
Workers locked out, only non-union welcome back.
Major showdown between big business and labor.

7. Pullman Strike (May 1894) Pullman Company cuts wages, not rent
American Railway Union calls a national strike
President Cleveland calls in troops to put down strike
Many union leaders jailed

8. American Federation of Labor (1886)
Famous Leader/Founder: Samuel Gompers
Skilled workers only
Preferred negotiations to strikes
Focused on economic issues rather than politics
Most successful early union

9. Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (NYC, March 25, 1911)
Fire broke out on the upper floors
Locked doors, faulty fire escapes, fire-friendly building
Many girls jumped rather than die from fire
150 workers killed
Initiates reforms in building codes to prevent fire disasters

10. Ten Days: Homestead Strike
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